Results
Issue paper
2009
Rethinking Public Policy in Agriculture. Lessons from Distant and Recent History. Policy Assistance Series 7
This report is based on “Applying Historical Precedent to New Conventional Wisdom on Public Sector Roles in Agriculture and Rural Development”, synthesizes the reviews of the history of agricultural policy in ten of today’s developed countries (Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United States of America) and in ten developing and transition economies (Chile, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Hungary, India, Mexico, Ukraine, Viet Nam and Zambia). It draws lessons for today’s developing and transition countries that go beyond the so-called Washington Consensus.
This report is supported by 10 country case studies and FAO tries [...]
Tool
2009
Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries and Aquaculture. Implementing the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries
This publication provides guidance on how to implement the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF) using an ecosystem approach to fisheries and aquaculture. The CCRF is a voluntary code covering all aspects of the management and development of fisheries and is designed to ensure sustainable development without adversely affecting the livelihoods of local communities that share the same resources as the fisheries. The authors outline the basic principles of the CCRF, describe concrete steps to be taken to use the ecosystem approach effectively, and recommend certain institutional changes and reforms that will be necessary if the potential of [...]
Tool
2008
Negotiation Theory and Practice. A Review of the Literature. EASYPol Series 179
“Pure” conflict defined as the existence of competing interests between parties in absence of interests that are shared, is an anomaly in international relations where the defining feature of the relationship between states is mutual dependence. Such was the observation of Thomas Schelling, noted international economist, during the height of the Cold War. In the decades that have since transpired, globalizing developments in technology, communications, finance and trade have given rise to a world in which citizens, organizations and governments engage in millions of trans-national interactions on a daily basis. In the modern age, the need for developing mechanisms and skills to manage daily exchanges has grown, as [...]
Case study
2008
Socio-Economic and Livelihoods Analysis in Investment Planning. Key Principles and Methods. EASYPol Series 201
This paper introduces the key principles and methods related to socio-economic and livelihoods analysis in investment planning. It includes a discussion of the importance of understanding the constraints of the rural poor in identification and preparation of investment programmes. It explains the processes of identifying the constraints of the rural poor, the extent and nature of their vulnerability, and their coping strategies in times of food shortage. In addition, it provides an understanding of the roles/functions of rural institutions and presents some methods used in community analysis. Finally, it discusses the implications of socio-economic and livelihoods analysis for the design [...]
Issue paper
2008
The Global Policy Environment. A Conceptual Framework. EASYPol Series 061
The focus of this issue paper is on the global decision-making process, which can be seen as the development over time of a pattern of multilateral negotiations resulting in decisions, agreements and commitments which have implications for national policy making. Major socio-political and economic changes during the past decades set that context and had far-reaching effects for policy discourse and process. The surrounding political context influenced the evolution of the policy processes, what it produced and how these outputs were received. Part of this external influence has also affected the endogenous drivers operating in the process.
This paper is an annotated [...]
Issue paper
2008
FAO's Role in Policy Support. EASYPol Series 066
What is the role of FAO in addressing major strategic issues and policy challenges in the field of agriculture and rural development? This paper will identify how FAO can assist its members and the international community in the design and implementation of policies for agricultural and rural development in order to achieve national policy objectives as well as contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
This paper is part of the FAO Policy series: EASYPol-Resources for policy making (in agriculture, rural development and food security). You can find other EASYPol series' resources in the Resources section of this [...]
Case study
2008
Sharing JFFLS Junior Farmer Field and Life Schools experiences and challenges
The purpose of this report is to document some of the Junior Farmer Field and Life Schools (JFFLS) experiences to date, and allow readers to reflect on approaches used in the various JFFLS in the countries where they have been set up. The JFFLS approach, developed by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), has been operational since 2003 and has been recently adapted to provide a response to emergency situations. The goal of the JFFLS is to empower vulnerable youths, giving them livelihood options and long-term food security while minimizing [...]
Report
2008
The State of Food and Agriculture 2008. Biofuels: Prospects, Risks and Opportunities
The State of Food and Agriculture 2008 explores the implications of the rapid recent growth in production of biofuels based on agricultural commodities. The boom in liquid biofuels has been largely induced by policies in developed countries, based on their expected positive contributions to climate-change mitigation, energy security and agricultural development.
The growing demand for agricultural commodities for the production of biofuels is having significant repercussions on agricultural markets, and concerns are mounting over their negative impact on the food security of millions of people across the world. At the same time, the environmental impacts of biofuels are also coming under closer scrutiny. But biofuels also offer [...]
Issue paper
2008
Influencing Policy Processes. Lessons from Experience. Policy Assistance Series 4
The literature available on best practices for providing policy assistance and influencing effectively national policy processes is insufficient to provide appropriate guidance to those whose work it is to help countries in shaping their policies and ensure that the advice they provide has a good chance of being adopted by governments.
Based on these premises, this study, qualitative in nature, uses the results of a review of existing literature, a consultation with 25 agencies conducting policy assistance activities and an in-depth review of 12 FAO policy assistance projects to highlight a series of good practices that can contribute to enhancing the [...]
Tool
2007
Getting started! Running a junior farmer field and life school
Designed to empower orphans and other vulnerable children aged 12 to 18 years who live in communities where HIV/AIDS has had a strong impact on food security.